'Clients Like to Bring the Colors of Their Living Room into Their Garden Room'

ARTICLE

MARKET & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Rosanne de Boer, Sunday 25 August 2024

151 sec

Leon de Winter Specializes in Garden Rooms, Pergolas, and Patio Covers

'We increasingly notice that people view the garden as an extension of their living room,' says Leon de Winter, one of the founders of the eponymous landscaping company based in The Hague, which specializes in patio covers, garden rooms, pergolas, and decks. 'Many clients want to incorporate the colors of their living room into their garden room and enjoy the same amenities outside as indoors, such as watching TV and using the internet.'

The pergolas in this garden in Nootdorp add extra depth to the design. 'In this era of climate change, I regularly point out the possibilities to design gardens that offer cooling during hot summers,' De Winter explains. 'Often, clients primarily ask about paving. I always emphasize the cooling benefits of greenery and the advantages of combining grass, gravel, tiles, and decking.' Stones retain heat, while plants and trees provide cooling. De Winter also considers biodiversity, selecting flowers and plants that attract bees and butterflies. 'Water management is also very important. If the entire garden isn't paved, rainwater can infiltrate the ground.' An increasing number of municipalities in the Netherlands require residents to manage rainwater on their own property. Since municipalities were authorized in 2009 to impose such requirements, more than forty have introduced regulations.

Leon and Amanda de Winter

Pergolas

Decking is one of Leon de Winter Hoveniers' specialties, alongside pergolas, patio covers, and garden rooms. Patio covers are popular because they allow people to sit outside even in poor weather. De Winter compares pergolas to large staples due to their angular shape, although some people refer to them as arches or corridors. 'They create height and visual depth, much like trees, walls, and planters do. We source these walls and planters from Adezz. Recently, a client in Nootdorp asked us to divide a 250-square-meter garden into various seating areas using these features. The walls and planters create different zones, and wherever you sit, your eye is drawn to the next seating area, always offering a new view.' Throughout the year, different trees and plants bloom, providing seasonal variety: 'In spring, for example, the serviceberry and magnolia stand out, followed by spindle trees. In autumn and winter, ornamental grasses become the eye-catchers.'

Busy Times for Leon

Leon and his wife Amanda founded the landscaping company in 2006, after previously running a lunchroom together. Both had entrepreneurial experience, and Leon had completed horticultural training and built up eight years of experience as a landscaper. 'After we sold the lunchroom, starting a landscaping company seemed a logical next step. I thought: I'll give it a try, and if it doesn't work, I can always work for someone else. That hasn't been necessary. During the pandemic, we were extremely busy. Many people were at home and wanted to improve their gardens. Materials were hard to obtain, but that situation has normalized. However, it's still busy. I work five days a week, sometimes twelve to thirteen hours a day. In the evenings, I visit clients to discuss their plans. Some already have ideas, while others leave the design entirely up to us. After client visits, I prepare quotes and work on designs.' Amanda handles online marketing, invoicing, finances, and other administrative tasks.

Local Focus

Leon and Amanda receive many requests for garden design, but occasionally for maintenance as well. 'We used to take on many maintenance jobs, but now we focus entirely on designing and constructing gardens, providing clients with maintenance advice instead,' says Leon. 'We typically work within a 20-kilometer radius around The Hague. Clients often prefer a landscaper who lives nearby. Many hear about us through neighbors, friends, or family.'

An Extension of the Living Room

'By collaborating with landscape architects, we can offer even more,' says Amanda. Leon adds: 'In the future, we want to focus more on the higher-end segment and create luxury gardens. The garden is increasingly seen as an extension of the living room. Clients want to replicate their indoor colors and amenities outside. For instance, if they have wooden flooring indoors, they often want wooden decking outside. Outdoor kitchens and garden lighting are usually must-haves.'

A Personal Style

'We aim to develop a distinct style in our designs, combining clean lines with organic shapes,' says Leon. 'Curved pathways are outdated. At Adezz, we find suitable planters and materials in round and organic shapes. The white planters are particularly popular. I recently delivered two white planters to a private client. White is a frequent choice as it pairs well with beige tiles and adds a light accent to the garden.'

ADEZZ

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